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Originally Posted On: https://iluvien.com/articles/what-continuous-microdosing-offers/
Diabetic macular edema (DME) can lead to long-term retina damage and potential vision loss. Living with DME presents its own set of challenges, including frequent check-ups and difficult healthcare decisions to make. When considering all the treatment options, the ILUVIEN® microimplant stands out as the only FDA-approved treatment option for DME that provides consistent, continuous delivery of medicine for up to 36 months. But how does a tiny implant make such a big impact? The answer is the implant’s CONTINUOUS MICRODOSING
technology makes ILUVIEN the only retina implant that delivers up to 36-months of continuous therapy.
Understanding CONTINUOUS MICRODOSING
At the core of ILUVIEN’s durability is its CONTINUOUS MICRODOSING technology. The microimplant releases a sustained, low-dose treatment directly to the retina for up to 36-months. That’s one injection that may help those with DME maintain or improve vision longer, with fewer treatments. The medicine in ILUVIEN is called fluocinolone acetonide (FAc), a type of corticosteroid. FAc helps treat the inflammation associated with DME, and when FAc is continually released, it is effective in inhibiting inflammatory responses and reducing edema for up to 3 years.
The Impact on Patient Lives
ILUVIEN can help patients maintain or improve their vision while preventing long-term retinal damage and permanent vision loss. Strong global clinical evidence demonstrated improvements in visual acuity and retinal anatomy while reducing treatment burden in most patients. The CONTINUOUS MICRODOSING technology not only offers effective treatment but may also mean fewer injections and doctor visits. The impact could be significant and may lead to potential visual improvement and more time for what matters most.*
Over 60 thousand eyes have been treated globally with ILUVIEN. That’s thousands of lives that are experiencing enhanced vision and fewer injections through the power of CONTINUOUS MICRODOSING technology. The positive impact can provide hope for individuals living with diabetic macular edema. The journey toward sustained vision and reduced treatment burden continues to evolve, offering a brighter outlook for those navigating the challenges of DME. To learn more about ILUVIEN and its CONTINUOUS MICRODOSING Delivery, please visit our website.
*ILUVIEN was assessed in a nonrandomized, open-label, prospective, observational, Phase IV study in 159 adult patients (202 treated eyes) with DME who previously received steroid treatment without a significant rise in eye pressure. ILUVIEN-treated eyes gained about 4 letters of visual acuity and showed about a 15% reduction in macula thickness (edema) from baseline. ILUVIEN-treated eyes also required 2.4 fewer adjunctive treatments per year than in the three years prior to receiving ILUVIEN.
SOURCES
INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Indication
ILUVIEN® (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) 0.19 mg is indicated for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients who have been previously treated with a course of corticosteroids and did not have a clinically significant rise in intraocular pressure.
Important Safety Information
- Do not use ILUVIEN if you have or think you might have an infection in or around the eye.
- ILUVIEN should not be used if you have glaucoma with a cup to disc ratio of greater than 0.8.
Indication
ILUVIEN® (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) 0.19 mg is indicated for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients who have been previously treated with a course of corticosteroids and did not have a clinically significant rise in intraocular pressure.
Important Safety Information
- Do not use ILUVIEN if you have or think you might have an infection in or around the eye.
- ILUVIEN should not be used if you have glaucoma with a cup to disc ratio of greater than 0.8.
- You should not use ILUVIEN if you have a hypersensitivity to any components of this product.
- Injections into the vitreous in the eye are associated with a serious eye infection (endophthalmitis), eye inflammation, increased eye pressure, glaucoma, and retinal detachments. Your eye doctor should monitor you regularly after the injection.
- Corticosteroids may increase secondary eye infections due to bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Let your doctor know if you have a history of herpes viral infections of the eye.
- If the posterior capsule of the lens of your eye is missing or torn, the ILUVIEN implant may move to the front chamber of the eye.
- The most common side effects reported in patients with diabetic macular edema who were treated with corticosteroids, including ILUVIEN, include cataracts (ILUVIEN 82%; sham 50%) and increased eye pressure (ILUVIEN 34%; sham 10%).
- This safety information is not comprehensive. For additional safety information, please talk to your doctor and see the full Prescribing Information for ILUVIEN at iluvien.com.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
